LUMPENPROLETARIAT—One of the themes of the current national popular resistance to police terrorism has been the intergenerational divide between today’s younger generation of activists and the extant elders of the Civil Rights Movement, such as Jesse Jackson and others of his ilk, who once talked a good game, but have since conformed to the barren accommodationist path of allying with the Democrat Party. Jon Jeter’s Flat Broke in the Free Market, has similarly discussed this betrayal of the working class by today’s social justice leaders, citing Chicago as an example. Many would argue most of today’s so-called Civil Rights leaders (i.e., celebrity intellectuals) have sold out, in the wake of state COINTEL-PRO repression and assassination of social justice leaders, from Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. to Fred Hampton, Black Panthers, Brown Berets, MOVE, Mumia Abu Jamal, and other political prisoners and exiles.

Hip Hop artist and activist Tef Poe (based in St. Louis, Missouri), who we have featured previously at Lumpenproletariat.org, has crystallised these perspectives in his (late 2014) anti-police terrorism anthem, “War Cry.” Another primary complaint Tef Poe charges, apart from the working class voting against their interests by voting Democrat or Republican, is the absence of intellectuals on the streets alongside anti-police terrorism activists. (See below.)

—Messina

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“War Cry” (2014) by Tef Poe

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SOUNDCLOUD—(12 NOV 2014) My city is on the brink of utter confusion and destruction. All of our elected officials have forsaken us. The Democratic Party and the Republican Party are both guilty of murder, racial profiling, and several other continuous hate crimes.

Since August 9th we have been attacked and assaulted by a militarized police force while pleading for justice for our fallen brethren. The entire city of Saint Louis is about to explode and no one in a position of power has decided to step up and take ownership of this moment. We are crying out to the world for help yet no one hears us. This record was made out of a sense of desperation. Our backs have been forced into a corner and we are currently trapped in the belly of one of the most immoral situations this country has birthed. Darren Wilson is a murderer yet we are hoarded up and treated like cattle for demanding his arrest. Vonderitt Meyers and Kim King are both dead and the police refuse to give us answers. The Ball family still has not received a moment a clarity and honesty concerning the death of their lost family member. The police in Saint Louis Missouri have decided to declare war upon people of color and Gov. Jay Nixon alongside with many other elected officials has decided to close his eyes to these atrocities. He has shielded and aided Michael Browns killer from prosecution. He has cosigned our community being brutally attacked by a uncontrollable force of wild cowboys. Jay Nixon is blatantly standing on the wrong side of history with zero regard for the pain we currently feel as a community. He is not our friend . He is not our comrade.He is not our Governor.He does not work for us. He works for those that have used institutionalized racism to kill us.

We cry for justice and they tear gas us in return. This situation has turned into a political game of cat and mouse and we are the mice. We believe in non violent protests. We advocate strongly for non-violent protests. Our mission statement is non-violent protests. We say this while we know for a fact that every police precinct in the metropolitan area is preparing to partner with the National Guard and attack us as if we are not tax paying citizens. We have witnessed your cruelty once before. We know you will not stop until there are no more bullets for you to shoot. We pray for peace but we are prepared defend our families. We are prepared to protect our children. We say this while we also realize you are currently preparing your militia to shoot us down in the streets of our very own communities as if we are stray dogs. My heart is heavy simply because I feel helpless.

My spirit is dampened by what is to come. I pray for the safety of my friends, family and loved ones. Jay Nixons friends and family will rest safely away from the arms of danger. He will not be tear gassed or violently attacked by the police. He can afford to boldly go on television and protect his political cohorts. None of them will be in the reach of this treacherous militarized police force. If I never record another rap record in my lifetime then so be it. I did this for Saint Louis and the countless victims of police brutality. This is my “War Cry” and I sincerely pray someone hears me before it is too late.

“Jay Nixon is blatantly standing on the wrong side of history with zero regard for the pain we currently feel as a community,” he wrote. “He is not our friend. He is not our comrade. He is not our governor. He does not work for us. He works for those that have used institutionalised racism to kill us.”

The song’s refrain – “This ain’t your daddy’s civil rights movement” – seems to reference the generational divide that has appeared in Ferguson, fuelled by frustration some young black Americans have felt about the lack of desire for direct action from older community figures.